Device for adjusting the position of the bootleg with respect to the shell, particularly for ski boots

ABSTRACT

A device for adjusting the position of the bootleg with respect to the shell, particularly for ski boots. 
     The first end of a blade is associated internally and at the rear with respect to the bootleg, the blade interacting selectively, at the second end, with a tooth of a slider. 
     The latter is arranged adjacent to the heel and movable axially with respect to the shell in contrast to an elastically deformable element.

The present application relates to a device for adjusting the positionof the bootleg with respect to the shell, particularly for ski boots.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In conventional ski boots, the problem is widely felt of being able toobtain only a limited rearward oscillation of the bootleg during sportpractice and at the same time a free oscillation of the same bootlegonce the sport is finished in order to achieve an optimal gait for theuser.

Thus U.S. Pat. No. 4,519,150 is known in which a ski boot is disclosedthat is comprised of a shell to which a bootleg is pivoted, to the rearof the bootleg a lever being associated the actuation of which enablesthe activation of a bar that has a threaded end which interacts with acounter-threaded bush which can be arranged on an adapted abutmentcoupled to the shell.

Such solution makes it possible to vary the flexibility of the bootlegwith respect to the shell, thus allowing for example the optimalpositioning of the latter during skiing.

Such a solution however has drawbacks in that manual intervention isrequired from the user for its activation, but it is not possible toachieve an optimal walking motion since the bootleg is not able tooscillate freely with respect to the shell even with the devicedeactivated.

Other devices are also known, of which some are provided, at thebootleg, with, for example, adapted elements, which can be activated forexample by way of adapted levers that can be gripped by the user andselectively positioned so as to allow the free oscillation of thebootleg or limit the oscillation thereof, by way of their interactionwith adapted projecting parts at and outside of the shell. Suchprojections however constitute a further drawback, given that theyimpair the aesthetic form of the boot as well as making it heavier.

Moreover, activation of the conventional devices is not always easy,given that the skier is usually wearing gloves and thus finds itdifficult to grip levers and other devices especially in conditions oflow temperatures.

Such conventional devices are very often not activated because the skierforgets them or, not perceiving the correct operation thereof, utilizesthem in an incorrect manner.

Also known is EP0940096 in which a device is disclosed for adjusting theposition of the bootleg with respect to the shell, particularly for skiboots, constituted by at least one lever, composed of a first and asecond arm, mutually and rotatably associated at one end by means of anadapted first pivot arranged transversely and to the rear of the shell.

The first arm is positioned in a region that lies above the heel of theshell. The lever has a first end that interacts with a coupling, whichis coupled to a ski, in contrast with at least one first elasticallydeformable element and a second end that selectively interacts, inabutment or otherwise, with the bootleg.

Although such a solution is undoubtedly valid, it has a drawback owingto the fact that the bootleg and the shell have, in the region in whichthe device is located, a protrusion that increases the size of the boot,impairing the overall shape thereof.

Moreover there is a construction-related complication, although limited,both regarding the provision of the female mold part and regarding theassembly of individual parts that require a certain care in assembly.

Finally in such a solution it is possible for snow to be deposited andice to form between the first arm and the first seat in which the firstspring is accommodated, which can render the activation of the devicemore difficult.

Also known are EP0085026, EP0521283, EP0582803, E0664969 and FR2647649which all exhibit a high structural complexity and considerableencumbrances, as well as the necessity for a manual activation by theuser.

Also known is EP0664969 which, although allowing an activation when theboot is anchored to the ski binding, still has a considerableencumbrance at the rear of the bootleg, which moreover extends in alower region almost to the sole, as well as a high structural complexityand an operation that requires high precision for achieving for examplethe optimal interaction between the tab and the seats, where it ispossible for them to stick and thus thwart the operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioneddrawbacks, and thus solve the technical problems set out, by devising adevice that enables the user to obtain the free oscillation of thebootleg in order to walk or a limitation of such oscillation in order tobe able to ski, the assembly being provided with a structural shape thatis simple and of contained size.

Within this aim, an object of the invention is to enable the skier toachieve such two different conditions for the oscillation of the bootlegwith respect to the shell automatically and thus without having tooperate directly on adapted devices applied at the boot itself andirrespectively of the possible presence of snow or ice on the boot.

Another object is to provide a device that in addition to theabove-mentioned characteristics also is relatively low-cost and enablesan abatement of the overall costs, including a reduction in theprovision of molds and for the mounting of the device on the boot.

Another object is to provide a device the activation of which, forskiing, and the deactivation of which, for walking, can be obtainedwithout any direct intervention of the skier on the boot.

This aim and these and other objects which will become more evidenthereinafter are achieved by a device for adjusting the position of thebootleg with respect to the shell, particularly for ski boots,characterized in that the first end of a blade is associated internallyand at the rear with respect to said bootleg, said blade interactingselectively, at the second end, with a tooth of a slider, which isarranged adjacent to the heel and movable axially with respect to saidshell in contrast with an elastically deformable element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become moreapparent from the detailed description of a specific, but not exclusive,embodiment, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partially sectional view of a boot with the device in thecondition that allows skiing;

FIG. 2 is a view of a detail of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partially sectional view of the boot with the device in thecondition that allows walking;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line IV-IV of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 1 wherein a condition of automaticrearming of the device is shown;

FIG. 6 is a first view from the rear of the boot;

FIG. 7 is a second view from the rear of the boot;

FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of the slider and the blade;

FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 are views from above of a cross-section, taken alongan axial and lateral line, of the slider in the uncompressed condition;

FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 are views from above of a cross-section, taken alongan axial and lateral line, of the slider in the compressed condition.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the embodiments that follow, individual characteristics shown inrelation to specific examples may in reality be interchanged with other,different characteristics, existing in other embodiments.

Moreover, it should be noted that anything found to be already knownduring the patenting process is understood not to be claimed and to bethe subject of a disclaimer.

With reference to the figures and considering that they are illustrativeof some specific embodiments and are to different scales and that inthem individual reference numerals correspond to elements that are thesame or equivalent, the reference numeral 1 designates a ski bootconstituted by a shell 2 to which, by way of adapted bosses 3, a bootleg4 is pivoted.

The reference numeral 5 designates the device for adjusting the positionof the bootleg 4 with respect to the shell 2, such device beingconstituted by a blade 6, a first end 7 of which is associated,preferably by means of an adapted rivet 8, internally and to the rearwith respect to the bootleg 4.

The first end 7 of the blade 6 is adjacent to the lower perimetric edge9 of the bootleg 4 in a region that lies above the inner lateral edge 10of the shell 2.

The blade 6 is directed toward the underlying heel 11 of the boot and islocked to the bootleg 4 so that it cannot oscillate with respect to therivet 8. For example, the locking occurs at the first end 7 by thepartial bending and interpenetration thereof in the thickness of thebootleg 4.

The blade 6 is thus caused to pass through an adapted opening 30 definedin the shell 2 and thus arranged adjacent to the inner lateral surface12 of the shell 2, and has a second end 13 that extends so as to affectpartially a recess 14 provided in the heel 11. At the second end 13 afirst longitudinal slot 15 is provided which acts as a seat fortemporary interconnection with a tooth 16.

Advantageously the tooth 16 is frustum-shaped with the vertex directedtoward the outside of the shell 2 and the first slot 15 is shapedcomplementarily thereto.

The tooth 16 protrudes axially with respect to a slider 17 movableaxially with respect to a box-like body 18 which is embedded in orassociated with the lower end of the shell in a region that is adjacentto the flat surface 19 of the heel 11 which interacts with a jaw 20 of acoupling 21 which is coupled to a ski 22.

In the inactive condition shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the slider 17 isconnected to the blade 6 and protrudes outside the box-like body 18 andalso outside the shell 2 to be able to thus interact with the jaw 20,once the boot has been associated with the ski.

The slider 17 has, in a transverse cross-section, the shape of aninverted T the stem 23 of which slides within a seat 24 and the wings 25a, 25 b of which slide within complementarily shaped guides 26 a, 26 bprovided at the sides of the box-like body 18.

Advantageously a transverse pin 27 connects the wings 25 a, 25 b andwhose ends protrude outside the box-like body 18 at adapted second slots28 a, 28 b formed on the sides of the box-like body 18.

The transverse pin 27 is arranged approximately halfway along the lengthof the box-like body 18, so as to create a space, in the oppositedirection with respect to the slider 17, which acts as a seat for anelastically deformable element 29, such as a cylindrical helicalcompression spring, the function of which is to force the slider 17toward the outside of the shell 2.

This cross-member 27 acts as a stroke limit for the slider 17.

A counter 31 is provided which is arranged inside the shell 2 and has arear surface 32 which faces the blade 6 and a lower surface 33 which isarranged above the box-like body 18 and is associated with the shell 2by means of a screw 34 which operates on a vertical rib 35 of the shell2 or of a platform located in a region that is adjacent to the recess14.

One or more sealing gaskets can be present, which are arranged forexample between the slider 17 and the shell 2 or between the box-likebody 18 and the shell 2 so as to prevent any penetration of water intothe heel 11.

The box-like body 18 is fixed to the shell 2 at the end that liesopposite the one provided with the slider 17 by means of a pair ofsecond screws 36 a, 36 b which engage adapted holes 37 a, 37 b providedin a pair of tabs 38 a, 38 b that protrude laterally to the box-likebody 18.

The operation of the invention is as follows: during skiing the systemis in the condition shown in FIG. 1, in which the jaw 20 forces theslider 17 to position the tooth 16 within the first slot 15 of the blade6. Thus the rearward oscillation of the bootleg 4 is prevented, althougha slight bending forward of the bootleg 4 is permitted if the length ofthe first slot 15 is greater than the encumbrance of the tooth 16.

When the skier releases the boot from the rear coupling 21, the spring29 pushes the slider 17 outward until the tooth 16 is disengaged fromthe blade 6. At this point the blade 6 is free to move, supporting theforward or rearward movement of the bootleg 4.

FIG. 5 shows a condition in which the second end 13 of the blade 6 canbe positioned within the recess 14. Once the coupling 21 is fitted onagain, upon the first bending of the skier the interconnection betweenthe blade 6 and the tooth 16 will occur again.

In practice it has been found that the invention has achieved theabove-mentioned set aim and objects, a device having been obtained thatenables the user to obtain the free oscillation of the bootleg in orderto walk or a limitation of such oscillation in order to be able to ski,the assembly being provided with a structural shape that is simple andof contained size.

Moreover the skier can achieve such two different conditions for theoscillation of the bootleg with respect to the shell automatically uponengagement and upon release of the coupling even in the presence of snowor ice on the boot.

The device moreover has a small number of components which makes itpossible to achieve construction-related simplification.

Obviously the materials used as well as the dimensions constituting theindividual components of the invention can be more pertinent to specificrequirements.

The various means for effecting certain different functions shall not inany way coexist only in the illustrated embodiment, but may be presentin many embodiments per se, even if not illustrated.

The characteristics indicated above as advantageous, advisable orsimilar, may also be missing or substituted by equivalentcharacteristics.

The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. TV2011A000006 fromwhich this application claims priority are incorporated herein byreference.

1. A device for adjusting the position of the bootleg with respect tothe shell, for ski boots, comprising a slider which is arranged adjacentto the heel of the boot and movable axially with respect to the shell incontrast with an elastically deformable element, and a blade, a firstend whereof is associated internally and at a rear region of thebootleg, said blade interacting selectively, at a second end thereof,with a tooth of said slider.
 2. The device of claim 1, constituted bythe blade, the first end of which is associated, by way of a rivet,internally and at the rear region of the bootleg, said first end beingadjacent to a lower perimetric edge of the bootleg, in a region thatlies above an inner lateral edge of the shell.
 3. The device of claim 2,wherein said blade is directed toward the underlying heel of the bootand is locked to the bootleg so that it cannot oscillate with respect tosaid rivet, the locking occurring at said first end by partial bendingand interpenetration thereof in a thickness of the bootleg.
 4. Thedevice of claim 3, wherein said blade passes through an adapted opening,which is provided in the shell and is thus arranged adjacent to an innerlateral surface of the shell and has the second end that extends so asto affect partially a recess provided in the heel, a first longitudinalslot, which acts as a seat for temporary connection to the tooth, beingformed at said second end.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein said toothis frustum-shaped, with a vertex directed toward the outside of theshell, and said first slot is shaped complementarily thereto, said toothprotruding axially with respect to the slider movable axially withrespect to a box-like body which is embedded in or associated with alower end of the shell in a region that is adjacent to a flat surface ofthe heel which interacts with a jaw of a coupling which is coupled to aski.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein in the inactive condition saidslider is connected to said blade and protrudes outside said box-likebody and also outside the shell so as to be able to thus interact withsaid jaw, once said boot has been associated with the ski.
 7. The deviceof claim 6, wherein said slider has, in a transverse cross-section, ashape of an inverted T, the stem of which slides within a seat and wingsof which slide within complementarily shaped guides provided at sides ofsaid box-like body, a transverse pin connecting said wings and havingends which protrude outside said box-like body at adapted second slotsformed on the sides of said box-like body.
 8. The device of claim 7,wherein said transverse pin is arranged substantially halfway along alength of said box-like body, so as to create a space, in the oppositedirection with respect to said slider, which acts as a seat for anelastically deformable element, such as a cylindrical helicalcompression spring, the function of which is to force said slider towardthe outside of said shell.
 9. The device of claim 8, comprising acounter which is arranged inside the shell and has a rear surface whichfaces said blade and a lower surface which is arranged above saidbox-like body and is associated with the shell by way of a screw whichoperates on a vertical rib of the shell or of a platform located in aregion that is adjacent to said recess.
 10. The device of claim 9,comprising one or more sealing gaskets which are arranged between saidslider and the shell or between said box-like body and the shell so asto prevent any penetration of water into the heel, said box-like bodybeing fixed to the shell at an end that lies opposite the one providedwith said slider by way of a pair of second screws which engage adaptedholes provided in a pair of tabs that protrude laterally to saidbox-like body.